Dear Commons Community,
The Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness (ICPH) has released a data report analyzing how many homeless students are enrolled in public schools in New York State, where in the state they reside, and how they perform in school compared to their peers.
Highlights from the report:
- There are more than 145,000 homeless students in New York State.
- There are 5.3 homeless children for every 100 public school students in the state.
- In New York State, 83% of homeless students live in urban areas up- and downstate.
- New York has the highest percentage of homeless students in the U.S.
- New York has the second largest homeless student population in the U.S.
Homelessness across the U.S. is increasing, with more than 1.3 million homeless children and youth in the 2013-14 school year. It disproportionately impacts children and families.
“We cannot afford to ignore the complex and unique challenges faced by homeless children and their families,” says Dr. Ralph da Costa Nunez, President of ICPH. “Unless we enact common sense public policies that address the educational and economic needs of homeless families, today’s homeless children may become tomorrow’s homeless parents.”
Homeless students are too often overlooked by policy-makers when talking about education policy. Improving outcomes and supports for homeless students reduces the burden on teachers, parents, and schools who struggle to help students cope with the trauma of homelessness along with the challenges of poverty. ICPH also published a related report on factors influencing high school graduation among homeless students in New York City. It is available here.[r20.rs6.net]
Homeless children has evolved as one of the critical social issues in urban America. Our public schools are major safety nets in helping to provide a little hope and caring for them. Thank you ICPH for helping us not to forget them.
Tony
